Spotlight

Thinking Machine 4

Thinking Machine 4 explores the invisible, elusive nature of thought. It’s artificial intelligence program, or ‘thought process’, is mapped on screen as it plays the user, making visible the traces of literally thousands of possible futures as the program tries to decide its best move. The traces become a key to the invisible lines of force as well as a window into the spirit of a thinking machine. Unlike the rushed tempo of popular video games, the pace of interaction is deliberative. Indeed the true subject of the piece is not games or chess, but contemplation and introspection.